Government will seek to make development of apartments more viable

Cabinet housing committee has discussed how to get the greatest volume of housing output from the Land Development Agency

It is understood the Cabinet committee focused on housing agreed to propose a broader remit for the Land Development Agency, to go beyond social and affordable housing. Stock picture: Larry Cummins

The Government is to explore measures that would make apartment building more viable in an attempt to increase housing output.

It is understood that the Cabinet’s committee focused on housing discussed how to get the greatest volume of housing output from the Land Development Agency (LDA) while requiring a minimum amount of capital funding.

The meeting heard that proposals for measures that would help to make apartments a more viable option are being considered.

If measures cannot be agreed, then focus would need to shift to building more State-funded social housing or developing lower density, marketable homes where suitable.

It is understood that providing the LDA with a broader remit to go beyond social and affordable housing was agreed at the meeting.

One source said this will require legislative change.

However, it was stressed that this will only involve an adjustment to the section that defines the work the LDA can and cannot carry out and should be relatively straightforward.

Ministers also discussed the “broad direction” of the longer-term housing plan, albeit this is still in the early stages of development. While a decision is imminently expected on rent pressure zones and could be finalised this weekend, it was not on the agenda of the meeting.

However, one minister noted there is a “broad awareness” that this is at an advanced stage and could be ready to go to Cabinet as early as next week without being discussed at the housing sub-Cabinet committee.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

The meeting also heard of the struggles the LDA is facing in terms of sourcing enough suitable land from State bodies.

It was suggested that if more land could be zoned for housing by local authorities, more opportunities would open up in new areas.

This would then help to meet the National Planning Framework housing targets.

Looking to private land would also bring greater opportunities in counties such as Dublin and Cork, where there is high demand.

The LDA is legally required to develop 100% social and affordable housing on public lands in these counties. However, this stipulation does not extend to private land. Where it is feasible to acquire and develop private land, it is to be a mix of social, affordable, and private housing.

The controversial housing activation office was also raised at the meeting, though no decision was reached on the matter.